“Horace,” cried Ann, “there can’t be any way in which he can take them, can there?  He didn’t tell you how he found out they were here, did he?”

“No, I forgot to ask him, and it doesn’t matter about that.  Our only task now will be to keep them from him.  Fledra, when you have finished talking with Ann, will you come to me?”

Fledra raised her head.  Something in Horace’s eyes frightened her.  She had never seen him so pale, nor had his lips ever been so set and white.

Ann rose quickly.  Of late Horace’s actions had aroused her suspicions.  She was now fully convinced that Everett had been right.  Moreover, she had come to feel that she would willingly overlook Fledra’s birth, if her brother’s intentions were serious.

“Go to him now, and trust—­have faith that you will not have to go away!”

Fledra kissed Ann’s hands and tremblingly followed Shellington into his study.

She sat down without waiting for an invitation; for her legs seemed too weak to hold her.  Her attitude was attentive, and her poise was graceful.  For some minutes Horace arranged the papers on his desk, while Fledra peeped at him from under her lashes.  He looked even sterner than when he had ordered Lon to leave the house, and his silence terrified her more than if he had scolded her.  At last he turned quickly.

“Fledra, I’ve asked you to come here, because I can’t stand our troubles any longer.  I believe in my soul that you love me; for you have told me so, and—­and have given me every reason to hope it.  We are facing a new danger, both for you and for Floyd, and I am sure you want to help me all you can.”  He paused a moment, and went on, “Your suffering is over as far as your own people are concerned.  There is no law that can force a child as old as you are to return to such a hateful place, and I shall take it upon myself to see that neither you nor your brother is forced to leave here.”

Fledra uttered a cry and half-rose to her feet; but, as Horace continued speaking, she sank down.

“I think it probable that we shall have to go to law, for Mr. Cronk looks like a very determined man; but he’ll find that I will fight his claim every inch of the way.”  Shellington bent toward her and rested a hand on the papers he had been sorting.  “I’m very glad you didn’t go to school today, and you must not go again until it is over.  This man may try to kidnap you.”  He found it impossible to call Lon her father.

Fledra reached out and grasped his hands.  At her touch, Horace flushed to the roots of his hair.  Loosening his own fingers, he took hers into his.  Finally he drew her slowly round the corner of the desk, close into his arms.

“Fledra, for God’s sake, tell me what has made you so unhappy!  Will you, child?  Isn’t it something that I ought to know?  Poor little girly, don’t cry that way!  It breaks my heart to hear you!”

There was inexplicable weariness on the fair young face.